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Agenda Item: 15(b) |
Prepared By: Chris Byrne, Fire Chief |
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Business: City Council Item |
Department: Fire Rescue |
Subject:
Title
Approval of the Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation Proposed 9/11 Memorial Statue - Chris Byrne, Fire Chief
Body
BACKGROUND:
In September 2025, the Fire Chief met with a group of local citizens who expressed interest in creating a 9/11 Memorial on the grounds of Fire Station 50 in advance of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Following these discussions, the group partnered with the Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation to develop the project, including architectural design, conceptual modeling, site plan amendments, and a fundraising strategy.
The Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation selected the landscaped area adjacent to the Fire Station 50 flagpole as the location for the memorial. The proposed memorial will be approximately seven feet tall, six feet wide and constructed of stainless steel. The design will depict the original World Trade Center towers and include three commemorative plaques honoring the victims and events at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The memorial is intended to serve as a place of remembrance, reflection, and education for residents and visitors while honoring the sacrifices of those who lost their lives and the courage of first responders who served during and after the attacks.
The Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation will be responsible for raising all funds necessary for the design, construction, installation, and ongoing maintenance of the memorial. The project will be completed at no cost to the City of Marco Island and will not require the expenditure of public funds.
Attached are renderings of the proposed 9/11 Memorial, a site plan identifying the memorial's proposed location on the grounds of Fire Station 50, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Foundation President Dianna Dohm is serving as the Foundation representative for the project, while Foundation Director Bill Albanese is serving as Project Manager, coordinating the planning, design, and implementation efforts.
FUNDING SOURCE / FISCAL IMPACT: The Foundation will be responsible for all aspects of the project, including fundraising, design, construction, installation, and future maintenance of the memorial. No City funds will be utilized for the project.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the proposed memorial and location or provide direction to the Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation and staff to make specific modifications.
POTENTIAL MOTION: “I move to approve the installation of the proposed 9/11 Memorial on the grounds of Fire Station 50, substantially in accordance with the site plan and conceptual renderings presented and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary agreements and approvals related to the project.”